The Herzfeld Foundation

The Herzfeld Foundation makes grants in the areas of Arts & Culture, Education, and Civic Improvements

It was the wish of Richard and Ethel Herzfeld that, upon their deaths, their assets would be added to their Foundation dedicated to Wisconsin but with emphasis on the greater Milwaukee area.

Since Ethel's death in 1997, the Foundation translated that wish into an investment of many millions of dollars in the community with more to come in the future.

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Ethel Herzfeld sitting on a boat on the beach

What's New

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October 07, 2026 |

Herzfeld Foundation Awards More Than $750,000 to Support Early Childhood Education in Milwaukee

The Herzfeld Foundation Board announces grants to 22 organizations to promote high-quality education and enrichment for early learners.

June 25, 2026 | Rob Henken

Herzfeld Board Announces Nearly $900,000 in New Arts and Culture Grants

The Herzfeld Foundation's Board approves its largest arts and culture investment to date, awarding 52 grants across four categories to support arts and culture organizations and initiatives in Milwaukee.

April 15, 2026 | Herzfeld Foundation Staff

Herzfeld Foundation Now Accepting Early Childhood Education Grant Requests

The Herzfeld Foundation has launched a new opportunity for early childhood education providers and practitioners to apply for grants to support efforts to enhance program quality, expand programming or classroom capacity, improve financial sustainability, and otherwise bolster early learning in Milwaukee.

What We Support

Our focus is Arts & Culture, Education, and Civic Improvements with an emphasis on enhancing the quality of life in the city of Milwaukee and expanding social, economic, and educational opportunities for city residents.

Arts & Culture

We consider grants for organizations and programs (big and small) that enhance access to arts and culture and promote artistic and cultural knowledge for all Milwaukee residents.

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Education

We consider grants for organizations and initiatives that promote educational quality in Milwaukee with a specific emphasis on high-quality early childhood education.

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Civic Improvements

By invitation only, we consider grants for organizations and initiatives that seek to enhance Milwaukee’s quality of life and tackle important societal or policy challenges in the city.

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The Herzfeld Foundation values collaboration among nonprofit organizations and is always open to supporting service sharing initiatives and other partnerships proposed by grantees to address business model challenges and create financial efficiencies.

The Herzfeld Foundation awards grants to nonprofit organizations that are tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

How To Apply

Photo Credits: UWM Libraries Digital Collection of Richard and Ethel Herzfeld | Marcus Center for the Performing Arts Photos by Front Room Studios, Lindsay Stayton Photography, & Michaela Beal | Milwaukee Ballet Photos by Rachel Malehorn, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Photos by Jonathan Kirn & Valerie Hill | Renaissance Theaterworks Photos by Ross Zentner

hello@herzfeldfoundation.org

219 N Milwaukee St | 7th Floor
Milwaukee, WI 53202

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